Editor’s Note: Ahead of the Curve is a series of stories that spotlights five Rock University High School seniors who earned their associate degree two weeks before they graduated from high school.

Devyn Klingaman, a budding artist with aspirations of opening their own tattoo shop, was drawn to Blackhawk’s Business Management program as a way to gain some business acumen to help pursue their dream.

Through Blackhawk’s Dual Enrollment program, Devyn was able to take all of their courses to earn an associate degree from Blackhawk on May 20 - two weeks before earning their high school diploma.

“I’m not super interested in business itself but more in what it’ll help me do down the line,” Klingaman told the Janesville Gazette in an article published June 14. “It was free, and I’m in school anyway, so I thought I might as well go for it.”

Devyn encourages other high school students to take college courses in high school. But they said it’s important to have good time management skills and learn not to procrastinate. 

“It's incredibly easy to get behind and can be hard to catch up,” they said.

However, as graduation grew closer, Devyn was able to find the necessary motivation to push through. And now that they have both their high school diploma and their associate degree, Devyn plans to work on their art and begin their business plan for a tattoo shop.

Start College in High School

High school students can earn college credit through advanced standing or transcripted credit articulation agreements between Blackhawk and high schools in Rock and Green counties,

High school students also can participate in the Start College Now program, which is open to juniors and seniors who have approval from their school district and meet other requirements.

Learn more about the options at blackhawk.edu/startcollegenow.